Behind the Braces: An Orthodontist’s Journey

All orthodontists are dentists, but not all dentists are orthodontists. In fact, just 6% of dentists successfully pursue this advanced specialty that requires two to three years of training after dental school. A typical orthodontist’s journey takes about a decade of college and post-graduate schooling.

What is an Orthodontist?

In much the same way as doctors choose to specialize in specific areas of medicine such as neurology, psychiatry, rheumatology, and pediatrics, an orthodontist is a dentist who has gone on to receive specialized training and develop expertise in orthodontics.

Orthodontists are experts in correcting misalignments of the teeth and jaw. Besides the cosmetic problems misalignments create, they also can cause medical issues such as facial pain, TMJ, speech impairments, chronic headaches, and even throat and sinus pain.

The American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) is the organization that regulates standards of practice in this specialty. If your orthodontist is a member of this organization, you can take comfort in knowing they have received appropriate training in oral biology and biomechanics.

Here are some common issues an orthodontist treats:

• Anteroposterior deviations such as underbites and overbites

• Overcrowding

• Aesthetic concerns such as malocclusions that affect facial structure

Dental School

Before your orthodontist could begin study in this specialty, they had to first become a fully certified dentist. Dental school is four years of intense study beyond a bachelor’s degree. The first two years focus on academic coursework, while the last two focus on clinical practice.

Students must earn either a Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) or Doctor of Medical Dentistry (DMD). Dental school applicants must take the Dental Admissions Test. Dental schools evaluate the results of these exams, GPA, and science prerequisites.

Orthodontic Residency

In the final year of dental school, students can apply to specialize in an advanced dental field such as prosthodontics, periodontics, endodontics, or orthodontics by gaining acceptance into a two to three-year residency program.

During this program, along with continued coursework, dentists are closely supervised while treating orthodontic patients. Following residency, orthodontists must pass board examinations and become licensed in their state.

Competition

Becoming an orthodontist is extremely competitive. Many dental students apply several times and do not get accepted. Your orthodontist likely graduated at or near the top of their class.

Business Savvy

Most orthodontists are small-business entrepreneurs who set up private practices. This means there is more to the job than fixing teeth. They are responsible for staffing, payroll, billing, taxes, scheduling, and facility upkeep.

Some orthodontists join together to create group practices, which allows them to divide business responsibilities.

People Skills

Patients need to find orthodontists personable and feel they have a genuine interest in their well-being. After all, patients trust them with their oral health.

At Orthodontic Associates, our treatment teams are comprised of top orthodontists in the field. Our board-certified professionals are highly qualified experts in orthodontics and are passionate about this specialty. Contact our friendly staff at any one of our nine convenient locations in the Baltimore area. We look forward to making you smile.